Caps aren't the only thing that can explode. I built a V-reg circuit for +/-40V @5A using TO-220 mosfet series pass devices. I accidentally shorted one of the outputs and the transistor exploded. (early lesson about using fuses was learned here ) A chunk of the plastic case hit me in the forehead close to my eye. It left a mark, drew a spot of blood! Less than an inch down and I would be blind in my left eye. I’ve never seen a transistor like that before or since explode leaving a crater in the plastic package where the die used to be before it vaporized.

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All the trouble I've ever been in started out as fun......

The variac is the light blue thing in the corner of the bench. In the description, he mentions powering it up with the variac and light bulb limiter (with the deep blue base) and it apparently worked fine until the cap randomly exploded. Needless to say, I'll be wearing my safety goggles more often.

I have exploded just about every kind of electrical component made. Even the new vented caps will explode violently if the failure mechanism can dump energy into the cap faster than it can vent. Plastic cased semiconductors can also explode. I have blown them so bad that there is 3 stubs and a black mark where the transistor used to be. I have even seen the pieces of silicon come through the can on a TO-3. SMPS's powered directly from the power lines are good for a big bang.

When you build something totally outrageous, powered by a 1500 volt 1/2 Amp power supply, you put a 1/4 inch sheet of Lexan between it and yourself, grab a fire extinguisher, then hit the explode button.

The plexi blast shield looks like a good idea! Probably should be 1/2" lexan though? I also have blown up many components, but this was by far the worst. My face was only 4" from the path of the aluminum can as it rocketed to the sealing.

I lost access to my old youtube account and it went away. I will post the video again and put a link in this thread.

...will explode violently if the failure mechanism can dump energy into the cap faster than it can vent.

I have that problem too. I've offered to hand out Lexan shields, but I've been told cognitive therapy is probably a better option. I'm still laughing at the size of those transformers, George. Them'r cap explodin trannies!